U.S. patent application number 10/778840 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-11 for illuminated display device.
Invention is credited to Fissell, Jeremy Justin, Goodrich, Greg.
Application Number | 20040221753 10/778840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46300856 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040221753 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goodrich, Greg ; et
al. |
November 11, 2004 |
Illuminated display device
Abstract
An illuminated display device for displaying an image of a
predetermined shape and size is described. An image is placed on an
insert of a predetermined size comprised of a medium which has at
least some partially transparent or translucent areas. The
image-bearing insert is retained by the display device in front of
an all-white portion contained upon a generally clear
background-bearing medium. The all-white portion has generally the
same shape and size as the image-bearing insert. The generally
clear medium is at least partially contained in a base also having
an illumination source. When on, the illumination source emits
light into the generally clear medium which propagates until at
least part thereof is diffused by the all-white portion into the
image-bearing insert, creating the appearance of highlighting to a
viewer. The frame is optionally elevated from the base, giving the
display device the appearance of a clear boarder around the frame.
A reflective background is optionally included to increase the
amount of light reflecting into the image-bearing insert.
Inventors: |
Goodrich, Greg; (Rocky
River, OH) ; Fissell, Jeremy Justin; (San Luis
Obispo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE HALTER & GRISWOLD, LLP
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
SUITE 1400
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
46300856 |
Appl. No.: |
10/778840 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10778840 |
Feb 13, 2004 |
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10026664 |
Dec 19, 2001 |
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6732641 |
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60257358 |
Dec 22, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
101/123 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 13/10 20130101;
B41M 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
101/123 |
International
Class: |
B41L 013/18 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An illuminated display device for displaying an image having a
shape and a size on an image-bearing insert, comprising: a
generally clear white-background-bearing medium having an all-white
portion on a face thereof, the all-white portion having generally
the shape and the size; a generally opaque base with an
illumination source contained therein, the generally clear medium
having a portion thereof retained by the base and further having at
least one edge thereof retained in close proximity to the
illumination source, whereby light from the illumination source may
enter the generally clear medium through at least one edge; and an
image-bearing insert retention means for removably retaining the
image-bearing insert in front of the generally clear medium whereby
the image is positioned in front of the all-white portion and
whereby light propagating through the generally clear medium is
diffused by the all-white portion and shines through at least one
part of the image.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the image-bearing insert is a
transparency and the image is a representation of an original image
wherein white areas of the original image are represented by clear
areas of the image.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the image-bearing insert is
photograph paper.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the all-white portion is
textured.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the all-white portion is
sand-blasted.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the all-white portion is created
by a textured pattern on a portion of a mold.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the all-white portion is on a face
of the generally clear medium which faces the image-bearing
insert.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the illumination source comprises
a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the length of the base is less
than the length of the edge of the generally clear medium retained
in close proximity to the illumination source.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein the length of the base is
generally equivalent to the width of the image.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the image-bearing insert
retention means comprises the base.
12. The device of claim 11 wherein the base has a trough for
receiving the image-bearing insert and maintaining the image in
front of the all-white portion.
13. The device of claim 12 wherein the trough is adapted to further
receive the generally clear medium.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the trough is adapted to receive
the image-bearing insert and the generally clear medium at an angle
of inclination between about 89 degrees and about 30 degrees.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein the image-bearing insert
retention means comprises a frame integral with the base.
16. The device of claim 1 wherein the image-bearing insert
retention means comprises a frame separated from the base by at
least a portion of the generally clear medium.
17. The device of claim 16, the frame having an interior edge, the
interior edge having generally the shape and the size, and the
frame positioned in front of the all-white portion.
18. The device of claim 17, the frame further having an exterior
edge, the exterior edge having a smaller length and width than the
length and width of the generally clear medium.
19. The device of claim 17 wherein the frame includes a slot for
receiving the image-bearing insert whereby the image-bearing insert
is slidably retained in front of the all-white portion.
20. The device of claim 17 wherein at least part of the frame abuts
the generally clear medium and the frame and the generally clear
medium define a slot for receiving the image-bearing insert whereby
the image-bearing insert is slidably retained in front of the
all-white portion.
21. The device of claim 17 further including a frame retention
means for retaining the frame in front of the all-white
portion.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the frame retention means
comprises a plurality of magnets.
23. The device of claim 21 wherein the frame retention means is
selected from a list consisting of adhesive, at least one screw, at
least one bolt, at least one mechanical clip and at least one
retaining band.
24. The device of claim 1 wherein the generally clear medium has a
carve-out having generally the shape and the size at the position
thereon of the all-white portion, the device further including an
all-white portion insert, the all-white portion insert having
generally the shape and the size and being adapted to fit into the
carve-out, the all-white portion insert being generally clear
material and having an all-white face which, when inserted into the
carve-out, acts as the all-white portion.
25. The device of claim 24 wherein the insert has exterior edges
which abut exposed edges of the carve-out.
26. The device of claim 25 wherein the exterior edges of the insert
and the exposed edges of the carve-out are polished.
27. The device of claim 25, the device further including a frame
retention means for retaining the frame in front of the all-white
portion, wherein the insert is adapted to receive at least part of
the frame retention means.
28. The device of claim 27 wherein the insert includes a plurality
of notches adapted to receive at least a portion of the frame
retention means.
29. The device of claim 1 further including a reflective backing
having generally the shape and size and being positioned generally
aligned with and behind the all-white portion whereby a portion of
the light propagating out through the back of the generally clear
medium strikes the reflective backing and is reflected back into
the generally clear medium.
30. The device of claim 29 further including a gap between the
reflective backing and the generally clear medium.
31. The device of claim 29 wherein the reflective backing abuts the
generally clear medium.
32. The device of claim 28 wherein the frame retention means
comprises a plurality of magnets; wherein the magnets are affixed
to the reflective backing; wherein the frame is capable of being
magnetically attracted; and wherein the magnets extend through the
notches in order to magnetically attach to the frame, whereby the
reflective backing, the insert and the frame are positioned with
the generally clear medium.
33. The device of claim 29 wherein the reflective backing comprises
a high-gloss white face.
34. An illuminated display device for displaying an image with a
clear boarder, the image having a shape and a size and being fixed
on an image-bearing insert, comprising: a generally clear
white-background-bearing medium having a carve-out of generally the
shape and the size; an all-white portion insert having the
generally the shape and the size and being adapted to fit into the
carve-out, the all-white portion being generally clear material and
having an all-white face; a generally opaque base with an
illumination source contained therein, the generally clear medium
having a portion thereof retained by the base and further having at
least one edge thereof retained in close proximity to the
illumination source, whereby light from the illumination source may
enter the generally clear medium through at least one edge; a frame
separated from the base by at least a portion of the generally
clear medium and abutting the front face of the generally clear
medium, the frame having an interior edge having generally the
shape and the size and the frame positioned in front of the
all-white portion, whereby the image-bearing insert is removably
retainable in front of the all-white portion; a reflective backing
having generally the shape and the size and being positioned
generally aligned with and behind the all-white portion; and a
frame retention means for retaining the frame in front of the
all-white portion and generally connecting and positioning relative
to the generally clear medium the reflective backing, the insert
and the frame; whereby light propagating through the generally
clear medium is diffused by the all-white portion and shines
through at least one part of the image.
35. The device of claim 34 wherein the frame retention means
comprises a plurality of magnets affixed to the reflective backing,
the insert has a plurality of notches adapted for receiving at
least a part of each magnet and the frame is magnetically
attractable.
36. The device of claim 34 wherein the all-white portion is
textured, a gap exists between the reflective backing and the
generally clear medium and the exterior edges of the insert and the
interior edges of the carve-out are polished.
37. The device of claim 34 wherein the illumination source
comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
38. An illuminated display device for displaying an image having a
shape and a size on an image-bearing insert, comprising: a
generally clear white-background-bearing medium having an all-white
portion on a face thereof, the all-white portion having generally
the shape and the size; an illumination source; and a medium
retention means for retaining the image-bearing insert in front of
the generally clear material whereby the image on the image-bearing
insert is in front of the all-white portion; whereby the
illumination source is in close proximity to an edge of the
generally clear material, whereby light from the illumination
source is propagated through the generally clear material and is
diffused by the all-white image and whereby the diffused light
shines through at least one clear area of the image.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/026,664, filed on Dec. 19,
2001, for METHOD FOR PROVIDING DISPLAY IMAGES IN AN ILLUMINATED
DISPLAY DEVICE, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/257,358 filed on Dec. 22, 2000, each owned in
common by the assignee of the present invention, the entire
disclosures all of which are fully incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to an illuminated display
device for displaying removable images thereon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well-known to provide an illuminated display device of
the type where an image is etched into a clear (light transmitting)
medium such as glass or acrylic and the medium is held by a base
which contains a light source. In these well-known displays, an
edge of the clear medium rests on or near the light source, and
light emitted from the light source propagates up and through the
clear medium. A percentage of this light travels completely through
the medium and escapes out of certain surfaces of the medium, for
instance, the top of the medium. This light is barely visible to a
viewer looking at the image face of the medium. Another percentage
of the light, however, contacts the etchings engraved in the medium
and is refracted and/or diffused so that some of such light appears
brightly to a viewer. The effect of such diffused and/or refracted
light is to highlight the etchings of the etched image with
beautiful results. Such etchings, however, are relatively expensive
and time-consuming to produce, particularly when representing
complicated and detailed images.
[0004] The present invention provides a display device and method
for providing display images therefor which is relatively
inexpensive and which highlights areas of an original image
similarly to an etching, thus curing the above problems and
others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an
illuminated display device for displaying an image having a shape
and a size on an image-bearing insert is provided. The device
includes a white-background-bearing medium having an all-white
portion, an image-bearing insert, an illumination source and an
insert retention means for removably retaining the image in front
of the all-white portion. The device optionally includes a frame
for retaining the insert and a reflective backing for augmenting
illumination. The all-white portion may be maintained on a
removable insert.
[0006] An advantage of the present invention is that an image may
be displayed upon an illuminated display device rather
inexpensively while providing highlights of areas of the image.
Still further advantages of the present invention will become
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and
understanding the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the
invention are illustrated, which, together with a general
description of the invention given above, and the detailed
description given below, serve to illustrate the principles of this
invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of an illuminated display device
displaying a converted image in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exemplary methodology for providing an image
for an illuminated display device in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary methodology for providing a color
image for an illuminated display device in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary methodology for providing a color
image for an illuminated display device in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5A is a cut-away view of an illuminated display device
displaying a transparency in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a display device in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an illuminated display
device displaying a transparency in accordance with yet another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an exemplary methodology for providing an image
for an illuminated display device in accordance with still another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an exemplary methodology for providing an image
for an illuminated display device in accordance with a further
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 9 is an exemplary system diagram of a computer
implementation of a method of providing an image for an illuminated
display device in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 is an exemplary methodology for modifying an image
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is an overall system diagram of a system for
providing an illuminated display device in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 12A is a front view of an illuminated display device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12B is a side view of an illuminated display device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 12C is a back view of an illuminated display device in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12D is a perspective view of an illuminated display
device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0024] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of several components of an
illuminated display device in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0025] The following includes definitions of exemplary terms used
throughout the disclosure. Both singular and plural forms of all
terms fall within each meaning. Except where noted otherwise,
capitalized and non-capitalized forms of all terms fall within each
meaning:
[0026] As used herein, "software" and/or "program," as such relates
to a computer, are used generically and include but are not limited
to one or more computer executable instructions, routines,
algorithms, modules or programs including separate applications or
from dynamically linked libraries for performing functions as
described herein. Software may also be implemented in various forms
such as a servlet, applet, stand-alone, plug-in or other type of
application. Software can be maintained on various computer
readable mediums as known in the art.
[0027] As used herein, "logic" is used generically and includes but
is not limited to hardware, software and/or combinations of both to
perform a function.
[0028] As used herein, "white" is used generically and includes
substantially achromatic colors of greatest lightness. As such
particularly relates to the conversion of black and white images to
halftone black and white images by a computer graphics software
program as described herein, "white" includes all colors of an
image which are deemed by the computer graphics software program to
be substantially achromatic colors of greatest lightness and/or any
areas and/or cells of an image which comprise color and/or black in
amount below a threshold amount at which such areas or cells would
be considered by such computer graphics software program to be a
halftone.
[0029] As used herein, "black" is used generically and includes
substantially achromatic colors of least lightness. As such
particularly relates to the conversion of black and white images to
halftone black and white images by a computer graphics software
program as described herein, "black" includes all colors of an
image which are deemed by the computer graphics software program to
be substantially achromatic colors of least lightness and/or any
areas and/or cells of an image which comprise a mixture of colors
and/or black in amount above a threshold amount at which such areas
or cells would be considered by such computer graphics software
program to be a halftone.
[0030] As used herein, "gray," "partially white," "shading" or a
"mixture of black and white" are used interchangeably and used
generically, and include a series of neutral chromatic colors
ranging between black and white.
[0031] In one embodiment, the present invention includes an
illuminated display device and a method for providing display
images therefor. The invention provides a method for converting an
original image into at least one silk screen image for display upon
an illuminated display device. The silk screen image representation
of the original image provides highlights of white and partially
white areas of the original image. Such highlights shine brightly
to a viewer of an illuminated display device of the present
invention.
[0032] Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a cut-away view of an illuminated
display device of the present invention. Illuminated display device
110 has a base 115, an illumination source 120 contained within
base 115, and an image-bearing medium 125 supported (and preferably
contained) by base 115. An edge of medium 125 is in close proximity
with illumination source 120, so that illumination passes through
the medium in a direction generally parallel to a surface of the
medium and illuminates an image 130 applied or affixed to the
medium 125. As described below, image 130 is converted from
original image 135.
[0033] Base 115 may be made from a material which is generally
opaque, can safely contain illumination source 120, and is sturdy
enough to maintain image-bearing medium 125 in close proximity to
illumination source 120, including but not limited to a suitable
black molded plastic, such as styrene, or any suitable aluminum or
other metal. Base 115 may also contain a power source (not shown)
for illumination source 120, such as a self-contained battery power
system or a power converter for obtaining electricity for an
exterior source, such as a common electrical wall socket. Base 115
may be any suitable shape and size for containing illumination
source 120 and maintaining image-bearing medium 125 in close
proximity thereto. It will be appreciated that certain features may
be included in the base 115, including but not limited to a clock,
a clock/alarm, an LED clock/alarm, a radio or a digital sound
device. While the base 115 as described herein is illustrated as
being positioned below other components of an illuminated display
device of the present invention, such as the image-bearing medium,
it will be appreciated that base 115 may abut any suitable side of
the display device, including the top side thereof or either left
or right side thereof. In such embodiments of the present
invention, components of the display device are affixed in any
suitable manner to a base abutting such side.
[0034] Illumination source 120 is any suitable source of light,
such as a fluorescent or incandescent light bulb, a series of such
light bulbs and/or a single or series of LED's (light emitting
diodes). Illumination source 120 may provide any suitable form of
light, including, but not limited to, white light, fluorescent
light, colored light, black light, and/or light from one or more
LED's. Illumination source 120 may be shaped to be roughly the same
length as a side of image-bearing medium 125 which is contained
within base 125, so that generally uniform light shines into
generally all of such side. Alternatively, multiple bulbs, and/or
multiple LED's, may be spaced so that light is evenly dispersed
into generally all of such side, or alternatively, illumination
source 120 may be restricted to a part or certain parts of such
side, so as to unevenly shine light into generally all of such
side. It will be appreciated that a single reflective surface or a
plurality of reflective surfaces may be used to amplify or redirect
light from illumination source 120. Such reflective surfaces may
direct light into medium 125 as known in the art. Such reflective
surfaces may be contained in base 125 and in close proximity to
illumination source 120.
[0035] Image-bearing medium 125 is made from any suitable generally
clear material, such as glass, acrylic or other plastic.
Image-bearing medium 125 may be any suitable size, shape and
thickness that is suitable for propagating illumination through the
center of the medium. In an embodiment of the present invention,
image-bearing medium 125 is acrylic, roughly rectangular in shape,
and about 1/4 of an inch thick.
[0036] A part of image-bearing medium 125 is retained within base
115 so that image-bearing medium 125 may be maintained in an
upright, fixed position and may further be biased in close
proximity with illumination source 120. An edge or multiple edges
of image-bearing medium 125 may be in contact with illumination
source 120 or may be closely situated thereto. Light may emit from
illumination source 120 in multiple directions. Generally opaque
base 125 contains a certain amount of such light, and some of this
light propagates into image-bearing medium 125 through the edge or
edges in close proximity to illumination source 120. Reflectors as
described herein may be used to redirect certain amounts of light
into medium 125.
[0037] A certain percentage of light that enters image-bearing
medium 125 from such edge or edges propagates through image-bearing
medium 125. A certain amount of such light will reach the air
surrounding image-bearing medium 125. If the angle at which the
light strikes the air is less than the angle of refraction for the
material which comprises image-bearing medium 125, such light will
"bounce" off the air and continue propagating through image-bearing
medium 125. If the angle at which the light strikes the air is
greater than the angle of refraction, such light will escape
image-bearing medium 125 at such point and begin propagating
through the surrounding air. Unless a viewer of the illuminated
display is positioned so that such refracted light propagates
directly to such a viewer, the viewer will not perceive such light.
If, however, image-bearing medium has certain ink applied or
affixed thereto, as set forth below, and such light strikes the ink
before striking the air, the light will be diffused by the ink. A
percentage of such diffused light will reach a viewer of the
display device, thus giving such inked portions a highlighted
appearance.
[0038] Image 130 is affixed to a face of image-bearing medium 125
by a method as described below. Image 130 may be affixed to the
front or rear face of image-bearing medium 125. Image 130 is
converted from original image 135 by a method illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0039] Illustrated in FIG. 2 is an exemplary methodology for
providing image 130 for image-bearing medium 125 from original
image 135 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The blocks shown represent functions, actions or events
performed therein.
[0040] At block 200 an electronic image is provided. The electronic
image may be color or black and white. The term "electronic image,"
as used herein, means a computer-readable image created, altered,
organized, stored and/or compressed in any suitable format known to
one skilled in the art, such as an Adobe Photoshop.RTM. file
(*.psd) or and Adobe Illustrator.RTM. file (*.ai). The electronic
image may be an original image created electronically by any
suitable computer application or device, including, but not limited
to, graphics illustration software, digital imaging and digital
photography. The electronic image may also be an original image
which is scanned into an electronic format by any suitable scanning
device and associated scanning software and may be made available
for further processing by any suitable method, including storage on
computer-readable media or storage in computer RAM. In an
embodiment, an electronic image is scanned into a computer using a
flat-bed scanner and a commercially available graphics software
program, such as Adobe Photoshop.RTM.. The scanned image is stored
in electronic format in computer memory by the graphics software
program.
[0041] At block 205 the electronic image is converted into a
halftone black and white image. If the electronic image is a color
image, the color image is first converted into a black and white
image by any suitable method, including electronic conversion by
any suitable computer graphics software program. In an embodiment,
the scanned image is converted to a black and white image by a
computer graphics software program which stores a color original
scanned image in computer memory. The converted black and white
image is further stored in electronic format in computer memory by
the computer graphics software program.
[0042] A halftone black and white image is a representation of an
original black and white image wherein any white of the original
black and white image is represented by white in the halftone black
and white image, any black of the original black and white image is
represented by black in the halftone black and white image, and any
gray or shading of the original black and white image is
represented by a corresponding halftone in the halftone black and
white image. Halftone images may be produced by superimposing a
grid over the original image and filling each cell of the grid with
varying amounts of shading (or white) to represent the shading of
the portion of the original which corresponds to the cell. The
conversion to a halftone black and white image may also be achieved
by any suitable computer graphics software program using any
suitable conversion methodology known to one skilled in the art.
For example, an area of the black and white image which appears
white to a human viewer may actually comprise a certain small
percentage of black. The computer graphics software program uses
well-known methodologies to assign a white cell in the halftone
black and white image to such a "white" area in the black and white
image wherein the black contained in such an area is below a
defined threshold. A similar methodology may be used for small
amounts of white in a black area. In an additional example, areas
in the black and white image which appear as gray to the human eye
may be composed electronically as a certain percentage of black and
a certain percentage of white. The computer graphics software
program uses well-known methodologies to assign a particular
halftone to a cell which represents such an area. The particular
halftone selected corresponds to the level of gray perceived, which
is actually a percentage composite of black and white in the area
of the black and white image which corresponds to the cell. In an
embodiment, a black and white image stored in computer memory by a
computer graphics software program is converted to a halftone black
and white image by the computer graphics software program and
further stored in computer memory by the computer graphics software
program.
[0043] At block 210 the halftone black and white image is inverted
by inverting or reversing the halftones representing the halftone
black and white image. In the resulting inverted halftone black and
white image, any black represents white in the original halftone
black and white image, any white represents black in the original
halftone black and white image, and any halftone represents the
inverted halftone in the original halftone black and white image.
The inversion of the halftones may be accomplished by any suitable
method known in the art, including by any suitable computer
graphics software program known to one skilled in the art. In an
embodiment, a halftone black and white image stored in computer
memory by a computer graphics software program is inverted by the
computer graphics software program and the inverted halftone black
and white image is further stored in computer memory by the
computer graphics software program.
[0044] At block 215 the inverted halftone black and white image is
optionally adjusted to accommodate screen printing as described
below. Optional adjustments include any suitable graphical
adjustments to the inverted halftone black and white image,
including but not limited to adjustments to the frequency, angle,
size and shape of the inverted halftone black and white image. In
an embodiment, the frequency, angle, size and shape of the inverted
halftone black and white image is adjusted to accommodate screen
printing onto glass or acrylic of a particular size and shape and
to reduce or eliminate moir patterns. The adjustments may be
accomplished by any suitable method known in the art, including by
any suitable computer graphics software program known to one
skilled in the art. In an embodiment, the frequency, angle, size
and shape of an inverted halftone black and white image stored in
computer memory by a computer graphics software program is adjusted
by the computer graphics software program and the adjusted,
inverted halftone black and white image is further stored in
computer memory by the computer graphics software program.
[0045] At block 220 a film positive of the inverted halftone black
and white image is created. A "film positive" is a representation
of an image on film wherein the colors, blacks and whites are
accurately reproduced rather than reproduced in negative, inverted
or otherwise altered. The film positive is created from the
inverted halftone black and white image by any suitable method
known in the art. In an embodiment, an inverted halftone black and
white image stored in computer memory by a computer graphics
software program is printed out by a computer printer at the
direction of the computer graphics software program. Printing is
either achieved directly onto film by a computer printer capable of
printing onto film or onto an intervening media, such as paper, and
then transferred to film by any suitable method known in the
art.
[0046] At block 225 a silk screen is produced from the film
positive. The silk screen may be produced from the film positive by
any suitable method known in the silk screening arts. In the silk
screen produced from the film positive, any black areas on the film
positive are represented by pervious printing areas of the silk
screen, any white areas on the film positive are represented by
impervious nonprinting areas of the silk screen, and any halftone
areas on the film positive are represented by correspondingly
partially pervious printing areas of the silk screen. As used
herein, a "pervious printing area" means an area of a silk screen
wherein each cell which comprises such area is completely open,
thus allowing ink which is subsequently squeezed through such cell
to be affixed to a medium across the greatest area allowable by
such cell. As further used herein, a "partially pervious printing
area" means an area of a silk screen wherein each cell which
comprises such area is open to some extent less than completely,
thus allowing ink which is subsequently squeezed through such cell
to be affixed to a medium across an area of such cell lesser than
the complete area allowable by such cell. In an embodiment, the
silk screen comprises a synthetic screening material covered with a
photo-sensitive coating. The photo-sensitive silk screen is exposed
to the film positive and light for a suitable period of time until
the film positive is reproduced upon the silk screen.
[0047] In an embodiment, it will be appreciated that a silk screen
may be produced from an electronic form of the inverted halftone
black and white image by use of a machine capable of providing a
silk screen from an electronic image. Such a machine is available
from KIWO, Inc. and generally identified as a direct emulsion
machine.
[0048] At block 230 the silk screen is silk screened onto the
image-bearing medium using a mixture of at least clear-matt and
white inks. A clear-matt ink may be any commercially available
clear-matt ink and/or any clear ink with a clear-matt powder mixed
therewith. The silk screen may be silk screened onto the
image-bearing medium by any suitable silk screening method known in
the silk screening arts, including, but not limited to, any
suitable automated silk screening machine. In an embodiment, the
silk screen is placed onto a face of the image-bearing medium and a
mixture of clear-matt and white inks is placed on top of the silk
screen. Using a squeegee, the ink mixture is spread evenly across
the silk screen and pressed into the silk screen so that a certain
amount of ink mixture is transferred onto the image-bearing medium
through pervious and partially pervious printing areas of the silk
screen. The silk screen is removed from the image-bearing medium
and the ink silk screened onto the image-bearing medium is dried by
any suitable method known in the art, including but not limited to
air drying, ultra-violet light drying or heat drying.
[0049] The ink mixture is any suitable mixture of clear-matt and
white inks. In an embodiment, the ink mixture is a textured
ultra-violet, vinyl or similar ink suitable for printing on acrylic
or glass and containing about 10% white additive (ink) and about
90% clear-matt finish (ink). As placed upon a face of an
image-bearing medium in a display device of the present invention,
the ink mixture diffuses light when such light contacts the ink
mixture after propagating through the interior of the image-bearing
medium.
[0050] The ink mixture may also contain a clear or white
fluorescent ink. Such a fluorescent ink will emit light upon
absorbing light which is propagating through medium 125. In an
embodiment, a fluorescent ink which emits blue-white light is used.
The emission if blue-white light gives a viewer the impression that
an ink mixture which contains such is whiter than an ink which does
not contain such, because an ink without such will appear more
yellow by comparison. The ink mixture may also contain a clear or
white phosphorescent ink. Such a phosphorescent ink will emit light
following absorption of light propagating through medium 125 and
subsequent removal of such light.
[0051] Referring again to FIG. 1, the image-bearing medium 125 with
silk-screened image 130 thereon is biased in base 115 in close
proximity with illumination source 120 whereby light from
illumination source 120 enters image-bearing medium 125 through an
edge thereof. Such light propagates through image-bearing medium
125 until it leaves through a clear part of a face of image-bearing
medium 125 or until it is diffused by contact with a part of the
ink mixture affixed onto a face of image-bearing medium 125.
[0052] The conversion of original image 135 to silk-screened image
130 is noted. Original image 135 is either a black and white
original or a color original that has been converted to a black and
white original as described herein. Generally black areas 140 of
original image 135 are represented by clear areas 145 of
silk-screened image 130. Clear areas 145 of silk-screened image 130
do not diffuse light propagating within image-bearing medium 125,
and thus do not appear as bright or highlighted to a viewer of the
silk-screened image. Generally white areas 150 of original image
135 are represented by inked areas 155 of silk-screened image 130.
Inked areas 155 of silk-screened image 130 diffuse light
propagating within image-bearing medium 125, thus appearing bright
and highlighted to a viewer of the silk-screened image. Halftone
areas 160 of original image 135 are represented by correspondingly
inverted halftone partially inked areas 165 of silk-screened image
130. To the extent halftone partially inked areas 165 of
silk-screened image 130 contain ink, such areas diffuse light
propagating within image-bearing medium 125, thus appearing bright
and highlighted to a viewer of the silk-screened image, but not as
bright or highlighted as a white area 155 of silk-screened image
130.
[0053] Illustrated in FIG. 3 is an exemplary methodology for
providing a color image 130 for image-bearing medium 125 from a
color original image 135 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0054] At block 300 an electronic color image is provided. The
electronic image may be an original image created electronically by
any suitable computer application or device, or may be an original
image which is scanned into an electronic format by any suitable
scanning device and associated scanning software. In an embodiment,
the electronic image is stored in computer memory by a graphics
software program.
[0055] At block 305 the electronic color image is converted into a
CMYK file. A "CMYK file" for the purposes of this invention is an
electronic, computer-readable file for electronically representing
a color image. In a CMYK file, a color image is represented by four
"channels," also referred to as plates, films or screens, each of
which represents one basic color, the combination of which
comprises the color image. The "C" channel of a CMYK file
represents the cyan component of the color image. The "M" channel
of a CMYK file represents the magenta component of the color image.
The "Y" channel of a CMYK file represents the yellow component of
the color image. The "K" channel of a CMYK file represents the
black component of the color image. Each channel is individually
modifiable, separately and distinctly from the other channels. The
conversion of the color original image may be accomplished by any
suitable method known in the art, including by any suitable
computer graphics software program known to one skilled in the art.
In an embodiment, a color image in electronic format stored in
computer memory by a computer graphics program is converted into a
CMYK file by the computer graphics software and the CMYK file,
including all four individual color channels, is further stored in
computer memory by the computer graphics software program.
[0056] At block 310 the K channel of the CMYK file is converted
into a halftone black and white channel. In such a conversion, any
white portions of the K channel of the CMYK file are represented by
white in the halftone black and white channel, any black of the K
channel of the CMYK file is represented by black in the halftone
black and white channel, and any areas comprising a mixture of
white and black of the K channel of the CMYK file corresponding to
a single cell of the K halftone black and white channel is
represented by a corresponding halftone in the K halftone black and
white channel. The conversion to the K halftone black and white
channel may be achieved by any suitable computer graphics software
program known to one skilled in the art. In an embodiment, a K
channel of a CMYK file stored in computer memory by a computer
graphics software program is converted to a halftone black and
white channel by the computer graphics software program and further
stored in computer memory by the computer graphics software
program.
[0057] At block 315 the halftone black and white channel is
inverted by inverting or reversing the halftones representing the
halftone black and white channel. In the resulting inverted
halftone black and white channel, any black represents white in the
original halftone black and white channel, any white represents
black in the original halftone black and white channel, and any
halftone represents the correspondingly inverted halftone in the
original halftone black and white channel. The inversion of the
halftones may be accomplished by any suitable method known in the
art, including by any suitable computer graphics software program.
In an embodiment, a halftone black and white channel stored in
computer memory as part of a CMYK file by a computer graphics
software program is inverted by the computer graphics software
program and the inverted halftone black and white channel is
further stored in computer memory by the computer graphics software
program.
[0058] At block 320 each of the C channel, the M channel, the Y
channel and the inverted halftone black and white channel is
optionally adjusted to accommodate screen printing as described
below. Optional adjustments include any suitable graphical
adjustments of any graphical property, including but not limited to
the frequency, angle, size and shape. In an embodiment, the
frequency, angle, size and shape of each of the channels is
adjusted to accommodate screen printing onto glass or acrylic of a
specific size and shape and to reduce or eliminate moir patterns.
The adjustments may be accomplished by any suitable method known in
the art, including by any suitable computer graphics software
program. In an embodiment, the frequency, angle, size and shape of
each of the channels stored in computer memory by a computer
graphics software program is adjusted by the computer graphics
software program and the adjusted channels are further stored in
computer memory by the computer graphics software program.
[0059] At block 325 a film positive of each of the C channel, the M
channel, the Y channel and the inverted halftone black and white
channel is created. Thus, four film positives are created by any
suitable method known in the art. In an embodiment, each channel
stored in computer memory by a computer graphics software program
is printed out by a computer printer at the direction of the
computer graphics software program. Printing is either achieved
directly onto film by a computer printer capable of printing onto
film or onto an intervening media, such as paper, and then
transferred to film by any suitable method known in the art.
[0060] At block 330 a silk screen is produced from each of the film
positives. Thus, at least four silk screens are produced. The silk
screen may be produced from the film positive by any suitable
method known in the silk screening arts. It will be appreciated by
one skilled in the art that additional silk screens may be required
to reproduce certain colors. As known in the art, certain "spot"
colors, such as brown and/or purple, may require the use of
additional silk screens to accurately produce certain colors. In
the silk screen produced from the inverted halftone black and white
film positive, any white areas on the inverted halftone film
positive are represented by pervious printing areas of the silk
screen, any black areas on the inverted halftone film positive are
represented by impervious nonprinting areas of the silk screen, and
any halftone areas on the inverted halftone film positive are
represented by correspondingly partially pervious printing areas of
the silk screen.
[0061] In an embodiment, it will be appreciated that a silk screen
for each channel may be produced from an electronic form of each
channel by use of a machine capable of producing a silk screen from
an electronic image.
[0062] At block 335 each of the silk screens are silk screened onto
the image-bearing medium. The inverted halftone silk screen is silk
screened using a mixture of at least clear-matt and white inks. As
described elsewhere herein, fluorescent and/or phosphorescent inks
may also be added to the mixture. The Y silk screen is silk
screened using any suitable translucent yellow ink. The M silk
screen is silk screened using any suitable translucent magenta ink.
The C silk screen is silk screened using any suitable translucent
cyan ink. The silk screens may be silk screened onto the
image-bearing medium by any suitable silk screening method known in
the silk screening arts.
[0063] Each of the four silk screens is silk screened on top of the
other. Any suitable method or form of alignment may be used to
ensure that each silk screen is properly silk screened. In an
embodiment, each silk screen contains registration marks which
allow for proper alignment of each silk screen. Each silk screen is
aligned on the image-bearing medium according to such registrations
marks so that each succeeding silk screen will be properly aligned
over the preceding silk screens to ensure a final image
reproduction without misaligned colors. Each of the four silk
screens are silk screened in any appropriate sequence. In an
embodiment wherein the image is affixed to the front face of the
image-bearing medium, the silk screens may be silk screened in the
following order: inverted halftone first, Y second, M third and C
fourth. In an embodiment wherein the image is affixed to the back
face of the image-bearing medium, the silk screens may be silk
screened in the following order: C first, M second, Y third and
inverted halftone fourth.
[0064] The ink mixture for the inverted halftone silk screen is any
suitable mixture of clear-matt and white inks. In an embodiment,
the ink mixture is a textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar ink
suitable for printing on acrylic or glass and containing about 10%
white additive (ink) and about 90% clear-matt finish (ink). The ink
for the Y, M and C silk screens may be, respectively, any suitable
translucent textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar yellow, magenta
or cyan ink suitable for printing on acrylic or glass.
[0065] Illustrated in FIG. 4 is an exemplary methodology for
providing a color image 130 for image-bearing medium 125 from a
color original image 135 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0066] At block 400 an electronic color image is provided. The
electronic image may be an original image created electronically by
any suitable computer application or device, or may be an original
image which is scanned into an electronic format by any suitable
scanning device and associated scanning software. The electronic
image may be stored in computer memory by a graphics software
program.
[0067] At block 405 the electronic color image is converted into a
multi-channel file wherein each channel represents a color which is
contained in the image. A multi-channel file for the purposes of
this invention is an electronic, computer-readable file for
electronically representing a color image. In a multi-channel file,
a color image is represented by a plurality of "channels," also
referred to as plates, films or screens, each of which represents
one basic color, the combination of which comprises each and every
color displayed in the image. The multi-channel file may be any
suitable multi-channel combination of colors known in the art. For
example, two suitable multi-channel formats are a "CMYK file," as
previously described herein, and an "RGB file". While a CMYK file
contains four channels, each representing the color cyan, magenta,
yellow and black respectively, an RGB file contains three channels,
each representing the color red, green and blue respectively. As
with a CMYK file, in an RGB file each channel is individually
modifiable, separately and distinctly from the other channels.
[0068] The conversion of the color original image into a
multi-channel file may be accomplished by any suitable method known
in the art, including by any suitable computer graphics software
program known to one skilled in the art. In an embodiment, a color
image in electronic format stored in computer memory by a computer
graphics program is converted into a CMYK file by the computer
graphics software and the CMYK file, including all four individual
color channels, is further stored in computer memory by the
computer graphics software program. In another embodiment, a color
image in electronic format stored in computer memory by a computer
graphics program is converted into a RGB file by the computer
graphics software and the RGB file, including all three individual
color channels, is further stored in computer memory by the
computer graphics software program.
[0069] At block 410 an all-white image is created. The all-white
image is created to generally duplicate the shape and dimensions of
each channel of the multi-channel file. For example, if the
channels of the multi-channel file are generally rectangular in
shape and about 4 inches high and about 5 inches wide, the
all-white image is created generally rectangular in shape and about
4 inches high and about 5 inches wide. Similarly, if the channels
of the multi-channel file are generally circular with about a 5
inch diameter, the all-white image is created generally circular in
shape with about a 5 inch diameter. Creation of the all-white image
may be achieved by any suitable computer graphics software program
known to one skilled in the art. The all-white image may be stored
in any suitable format, including as an additional channel added
into the multi-channel image file. Alternatively, the all-white
image may be stored as an additional file, separate and distinct
from the multi-image file. While further description of the present
embodiment will be limited to maintenance of the all-white image as
an additional channel of the multi-channel file, it will be
appreciated that one skilled in the art could perform the steps
described below with the all-white image stored as a separate
file.
[0070] In an embodiment, the all-white image is created with the
same shape and size as the original image by a computer graphics
software program and is stored in computer memory as an additional
channel in the multi-channel file by the computer graphics software
program.
[0071] At block 415 each channel of the multi-channel file,
including the all-white channel, is optionally adjusted to
accommodate screen printing as described below. Optional
adjustments include any suitable graphical adjustments, including
but not limited to adjustments to the frequency, angle, size and
shape. The size and shape of the all-white channel may be adjusted
to be larger in certain dimensions than the remaining channels if a
white border is desired around the resulting image. In an
embodiment, the frequency, angle, size and shape of each of the
channels is adjusted to accommodate screen printing onto glass or
acrylic of a certain size and shape and to reduce or eliminate moir
patterns. The adjustments may be accomplished by any suitable
method known in the art, including by any suitable computer
graphics software program. In an embodiment, the frequency, angle,
size and shape of each of the channels stored in computer memory by
a computer graphics software program is adjusted by the computer
graphics software program and the adjusted channels are further
stored in computer memory by the computer graphics software
program.
[0072] At block 420 a film positive of each of the channels of the
multi-channel file is created by any suitable method known in the
art. For a CYMK file with the additional all-white channel, five
film positives will be created. For an RGB file with the additional
all-white channel, four film positives will be created. In an
embodiment, each channel stored in computer memory by a computer
graphics software program is printed out by a computer printer at
the direction of the computer graphics software program. Printing
is either achieved directly onto film by a computer printer capable
of printing onto film or onto an intervening media, such as paper,
and then transferred to film by any suitable method known in the
art.
[0073] At block 425 a silk screen is produced from each of the film
positives. For an original image which has been converted to a CYMK
file, at least five silk screens are produced. For an original
image which has been converted to an RGB file, at least four silk
screens are produced. Each silk screen may be produced from the
film positive by any suitable method known in the silk screening
arts. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that
additional silk screens may be required to produce certain colors,
as set forth herein.
[0074] In an embodiment, it will be appreciated that a silk screen
for each channel may be produced from an electronic form of each
channel by use of a machine capable of producing a silk screen from
an electronic image.
[0075] At block 430 each of the silk screens are silk screened onto
the image-bearing medium. Each silk screen is silk-screened with a
translucent ink which corresponds to the color of the channel which
was used to produce the silk screen, except that any black channel
may be silk screened with either a translucent or an opaque black
ink, and the all-white channel may be silk screened using a mixture
of clear-matt and white inks.
[0076] For an original image which has been converted to a CYMK
file with an additional all-white channel, the all-white silk
screen is silk screened using a mixture of clear-matt and white
inks. The K silk screen is silk screened using any suitable
translucent or opaque black ink. The Y, M and C silk screens are
silk screened, respectively, using any suitable translucent yellow,
magenta or cyan ink.
[0077] For an original image which has been converted to an RGB
file with an additional all-white channel, the all-white silk
screen is silk screened using a mixture of clear-matt and white
inks. The R, B and G silk screens are silk screened using any
suitable translucent red, blue or green ink.
[0078] Each of the silk screens is silk screened on top of the
other. Any suitable method for alignment may be used to ensure that
each silk screen is properly silk screened and positioned. In an
embodiment, each silk screen contains registration marks which
allow for proper alignment of each silk screen. Each silk screen is
aligned on the image-bearing medium according to such registrations
marks so that each succeeding silk screen will be properly aligned
over the preceding silk screens to ensure a final image
reproduction without misaligned colors.
[0079] Each of the silk screens are silk screened in any
appropriate sequence. In an embodiment wherein the original image
has been converted into a CMYK file and the resulting image is
affixed to the front face of the image-bearing medium, the silk
screens may be silk screened in the following order: all-white
first, K second, Y third, M fourth and C fifth. In an embodiment
wherein the original image has been converted into a CMYK file and
the resulting image is affixed to the back face of the
image-bearing medium, the silk screens may be silk screened in the
following order: C first, M second, Y third, K fourth and all-white
fifth. In an embodiment wherein the original image has been
converted into an RGB file and the resulting image is affixed to
the front face of the image-bearing medium, the silk screens may be
silk screened in the following order: all-white first, R second, G
third and B fourth. In an embodiment wherein the original image has
been converted into an RGB file and the resulting image is affixed
to the back face of the image-bearing medium, the silk screens may
be silk screened in the following order: B first, G second, R third
and all-white fourth.
[0080] The ink mixture for the all-white silk screen is any
suitable mixture of clear-matt and white inks. In an embodiment,
the ink mixture is a textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar ink
suitable for printing on acrylic or glass and containing about 10%
white additive (ink) and about 90% clear-matt finish (ink). In an
embodiment, the ink for the Y silk screen is any suitable
translucent textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar yellow ink
suitable for printing on acrylic or glass. In an embodiment, the
ink for the M silk screen is any suitable translucent textured
ultra-violet, vinyl or similar magenta ink suitable for printing on
acrylic or glass. In an embodiment, the ink for the C silk screen
is any suitable translucent textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar
cyan ink suitable for printing on acrylic or glass. In an
embodiment, the ink for the K silk screen is any suitable
translucent or opaque textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar black
ink suitable for printing on acrylic or glass. In an embodiment,
the ink for the R silk screen is any suitable translucent textured
ultra-violet, vinyl or similar red ink suitable for printing on
acrylic or glass. In an embodiment, the ink for the B silk screen
is any suitable translucent textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar
blue ink suitable for printing on acrylic or glass. In an
embodiment, the ink for the G silk screen is any suitable
translucent textured ultra-violet, vinyl or similar green ink
suitable for printing on acrylic or glass.
[0081] While the steps of this exemplary methodology have been
described in a particular order, it will be appreciated that
certain of the steps may be performed in any suitable order. For
example, in an embodiment wherein the all-white image is stored in
a separate file, the step for adjusting the all-white image may be
performed at any time prior to creating the corresponding all-white
silk screen.
[0082] In another embodiment, the present invention includes an
illuminated transparency display device and a method and system for
providing highlighted display of the transparency thereon and/or
therein. A transparency is illuminated by placing the transparency
in front of an illuminated white-background-bearing medium. The
white-background-bearing medium has a silk screened white
background (or made white by other method(s), as described herein)
affixed thereto which diffuses light and appears as highlighted to
a viewer. Clear areas of the transparency, which relate to white
areas of the image on the transparency, do not block the highlights
of the white-background-bearing medium, allowing such highlights to
appear to a viewer as highlighted parts of the image on display. To
a lesser extent, highlighted light illuminates translucent color
parts of the transparency image. Such parts appear brightly to a
viewer, but not as brightly as any highlighted area behind a clear
transparency area. The invention provides several methods for
creating the silk screened white background and converting original
images into a transparency image for proper highlighted display.
The invention also provides a system for creating and displaying
highlighted transparencies.
[0083] While certain embodiments herein are described with
reference to a transparency, it will be appreciated that, unless
stated otherwise, any suitable insertable medium capable of bearing
an image may be used. Exemplary suitable image-bearing inserts
include, but are not limited to, transparency paper, other
transparency medium(s), photographic paper, film, stock paper, bond
paper and any other type of paper or film which has at least one
portion which is at least partially translucent or transparent. In
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an image-bearing
medium is standard photographic print paper generally available
from Kodak.TM. and Fuji Film.TM.. In yet another exemplary
embodiment, an image-bearing medium is a transparency created as
described herein.
[0084] With reference to both FIGS. 5A and 5B, illustrated in FIG.
5A is a cut-away view of an illuminated display device of the
present invention and illustrated in FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional
view of such a device. Illuminated display device 510 has a base
515, an illumination source 520 contained within base 515, and a
white-background-bearing medium 525 supported and partially
retained by base 515 at an angle 550. Image-bearing insert 540
containing image 535 is placed in front of white-background-bearing
medium 525 so that image 535 is in front of all-white portion 530
of white-background-bearing medium 525. Image-bearing insert 540 is
supported and partially contained by base 515, base trough 545 and
white-background-bearing medium 525. An edge of medium 525 is in
close proximity with illumination source 520, so that illumination
passes through the medium in a direction generally parallel to a
surface of the medium and illuminates all-white portion 530 and
image 535. In an embodiment described below, image 535 is a
transparency and is created from original image 560. In another
embodiment, image 560 is a photographic image printed on
photographic paper 540.
[0085] Base 515 is made from any suitable material as described for
a base of another embodiment of the present invention as described
herein. Furthermore, base 515 may contain a power source, may be
any suitable shape and size, and may contain certain features as
described for a base of another embodiment of the present invention
as described herein.
[0086] Base 515 has trough 545 therein. Trough 545 is sized and
located to receive white-background-bearing medium 525 and
image-bearing insert 540. Trough 545 is shaped to receive both such
at an angle of inclination 550. Angle of inclination 550 is any
suitable angle whereby image-bearing insert 540, when placed in
front of white-background-bearing medium 525 and rested on the
bottom of trough 545, will remain in a semi-upright position under
normal viewing conditions without falling forward or otherwise
falling away from white-background-bearing medium 525. Trough 545
is further sized to contain a suitable portion of
white-background-bearing medium 545 and image-bearing insert 540 so
as to maintain both such in a semi-upright position. As discussed
further below in an embodiment, image-bearing medium 545 and
image-bearing insert 540 are suitably sized so that the portions
thereof containing image 535 and all-white portion 530,
respectively, protrude above the upper face of base 515.
[0087] Trough 545 may also be shaped to receive
white-background-bearing medium 525 and image-bearing insert 540
generally normal to, or generally perpendicular to (i.e., wherein
the angle of inclination 550 is 90.degree.) the top face of base
515 (not shown). In such an embodiment, it will be appreciated that
image-bearing insert 540 and white-background-bearing medium 525
stand upright in base 515 and image-bearing insert 540 is retained
against white-background-bearing medium 525 by any suitable method
or mechanism, including, but not limited to, static electricity,
opaque, clear or semi-translucent adhesive applied to the
image-bearing insert on areas outside of image 535, transparent
adhesive, and/or any suitable retaining device, such as a clip or
clips, magnets, screws or a rubber band or rubber bands.
[0088] Illumination source 520 is any suitable form of light as
described for an illumination source of another embodiment of the
present invention as described herein. Furthermore, illumination
source 520 may provide any suitable form of light, may be shaped in
any suitable way, may have multiple bulbs and/or LED's, and may be
restricted to illuminating certain parts of the medium as described
for an illumination source of another embodiment of the present
invention as described herein.
[0089] White-background-bearing medium 525 is made from any
suitable generally clear material, such as glass, acrylic or other
plastic. White-background-bearing medium 525 may be any size, shape
and thickness that is suitable for propagating illumination through
the medium. In an embodiment of the present invention, medium 525
is acrylic, roughly rectangular in shape, and about 1/4 of an inch
thick.
[0090] A part of white-background-bearing medium 525 is biased in
close proximity with illumination source 520. An edge or multiple
edges of white-background-bearing medium 525 may be in contact with
illumination source 520 or may be closely situated thereto. Light
may emit from illumination source 520 in multiple directions.
Generally opaque base 515 contains a certain amount of such light,
and some of this light propagates into white-background-bearing
medium 525 through the edge or edges in close proximity to
illumination source 520. Base 515 may also contain reflectors as
described herein.
[0091] White-background-bearing medium 525 has on a face thereof
all-white portion 530. All-white portion 530 may be on the front
face of the medium 525, with the "front" of the medium meaning the
face of the medium upon which the image-bearing insert 540 is
placed. All-white portion 530 may be on the back face of the medium
525.
[0092] All-white portion 530 may be the same shape and size as
image 535. For example, if the image is generally rectangular in
shape and about 4 inches high and about 6 inches wide (for, e.g., a
standard photographic print), the all-white portion 530 is
generally rectangular in shape and about 4 inches high and about 6
inches wide. Similarly, if the original image is generally circular
with about a 5 inch diameter, the all-white portion is generally
circular in shape with about a 5 inch diameter. As explained
further herein, such uniformity in size and shape provides
highlights behind the entire area of image 535. All-white portion
530 may be a different shape and/or smaller size than image 535,
but under such circumstances such parts of the image (which are not
backed by all-white portion 530) will not be highlighted. It will
be appreciated that the size and shape of the all-white portion 530
may be larger in certain dimensions than the image. In such a
situation, portions of all-white portion 530 which are not covered
by image 535 will appear as a highlighted boarder around image 535.
In an embodiment, all-white portion 530 is uniformly sized larger
that image 535 in order to create an even, highlighted boarder
around image 535. It will be appreciated that any portion of
all-white portion 530 which is below the top face of the base 515
will not be viewable to a viewer.
[0093] In an embodiment, all-white portion 530 is a mixture of
clear-matt and white inks which are affixed onto a face of
white-background-bearing medium 525 by any suitable process,
including several processes described herein. For example, the inks
of all-white portion 530 may be affixed by silk screening, painting
(brush, spray or otherwise) and/or lithography. The ink may be any
suitable mixture of clear-matt and white inks and may be applied so
that all-white portion 530 has a textured surface. In an
embodiment, the ink mixture is a textured ultra-violet, vinyl or
similar ink suitable for printing on acrylic or glass and
containing about 10% white additive (ink) and about 90% clear-matt
finish (ink). While all-white portion 530 has been described herein
as being comprised of ink(s), it will be appreciated that any
suitable material or method may be used to create the all-white
portion, including, but not limited to, etching, sand-blasting or
similar mechanical method(s), dyes, or similar chemical method(s)
and material which inherently diffuses light as does all-white
portion 530, such as, for example, PLEXIGLAS ELiT.TM. material
available from AUTOFINA Chemicals, Inc., of Philadelphia, Pa. In
embodiments wherein all-white portion 530 is created by a
mechanical method such as sand-blasting or etching, it will be
appreciated that such method may be applied to a surface of
white-background-bearing medium 525 in any suitable fashion so that
the appearance of all-white portion 530 is white or nearly white.
For example, sand-blasting with an appropriate grade of sand
creates a plurality of small marks, grooves and/or pock marks on
the surface of the white-background-bearing medium 525 which appear
generally white and acts to diffuse light propagating within
white-background-bearing medium as described herein with ink-based
all-white portions 530. In still another embodiment, all-white
portion 530 is created integrally with white-background-bearing
medium 525 as by, for example, a mold. Such an exemplary mold has a
textured section at the intended place of all-white portion 530.
When created from such an exemplary mold, all-white portion 530 is
textured as defined by the mold. Such a texture is optionally sized
to appear white or generally white and to further optionally
diffuse light as described herein with ink-based embodiments.
All-white portion 530 is substantially evenly white over the entire
area of all-white portion 530, and is further evenly dispersed
there over.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 5B, a certain percentage of light that
enters white-background-bearing medium 525 from and edge of medium
525 propagates through medium 525. A certain percentage of this
propagating light propagates to a face of white-background-bearing
medium 525 where ink from all-white portion 530 is affixed. Upon
striking such ink, the light will be diffused. A certain percentage
of such diffused light will travel to image-bearing insert 540
which is placed on top of and abutting the ink of all-white portion
530. Such diffused light will permeate image-bearing insert 540
unless blocked by opaque or semi-opaque inks contained in image
535. In clear or partially transparent areas of image 535, the
diffused light shines through, and a viewer of the display device
may perceive such light as a highlight. Furthermore, to the extent
translucent inks are used in image 535, a certain amount of the
diffused light will permeate such translucent inks, and a viewer of
the display device may perceive such translucent ink portions as
illuminated, particularly in comparison to areas covered by opaque
ink.
[0095] With reference to FIG. 6, illustrated is a display device of
the present invention wherein an image-bearing insert, medium and
illumination source are maintained in a frame. Illuminated display
device 610 has a frame 615 which retains white-background-bearing
medium 625, image-bearing insert 640 and illumination source 620.
Image-bearing insert 640 is slidably removable from and retained in
frame 615 by slot 670. White-background-bearing medium 625 is
slidably removable from and retained in frame 615 by slot 680.
[0096] Slots 680 and 670 are shaped and sized to fit image-bearing
insert 640 and white-background-bearing medium 625 so that image
635 covers at least in part all-white portion 630 of
white-background-bearing medium 625 when image-bearing insert 640
and medium 625 are retained in frame 615. Slots 680 and 670 are
located within frame 615 so that image-bearing insert 640 is
retained in front of medium 625 so that light diffusing from
all-white portion 630 will highlight certain areas of image
635.
[0097] Illumination source 620 is contained in frame 615 whereby an
edge of medium 625 is in close proximity to illumination source 620
whereby light passes into medium 625 as described herein.
[0098] Illustrated in FIG. 7 is an exemplary methodology for
creating image-bearing inserts (in this example, transparencies)
540 or 640, images 535 or 635 (in this example, an image for a
transparency) and all-white portion 530 or 630 (in this example, a
silk-screen) from an original image in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0099] At block 700 an electronic image is provided. The electronic
image may have color and/or black and white. The electronic image
may be an original image created electronically by any suitable
computer application or device, or may be an original image which
is scanned into an electronic format by any suitable scanning
device and associated scanning software. In an embodiment, the
electronic image is stored in computer memory by a graphics
software program.
[0100] Referring also to FIGS. 5A and 6, at block 705 transparency
540 or 640 is created with image 535 or 635 thereon converted from
the electronic image. Transparency 540 or 640 is made of any
suitable transparency medium and/or material known in the art which
is capable of receiving an image thereon affixed and/or printed by
a computer printer as known in the art. For example, transparency
540 or 640 may be transparency paper as known in the art.
[0101] The electronic image is printed and/or affixed onto a face
of transparency 540 or 640 by any suitable means known in the art.
In an embodiment, an electronic image which is stored in computer
memory by a graphics software program is printed on a printer at
the direction of the graphics software program. The computer upon
which the graphics software program retains the electronic image in
memory is in communication with a printer. The printer may be any
suitable printer known in the art which is capable of receiving
electronic images and printing such images onto a transparency. The
graphics software program, through the computer and the
communication means between the computer and the printer, directs
the printer to print the electronic image. The printer prints the
electronic image on the transparency by any suitable means known in
the art, employing any suitable inks and/or pigments known in the
art. Such inks may be translucent and/or opaque as known in the art
for printing on transparencies.
[0102] When printing color and/or black and white images, the
printer represents white in the resulting printout by an absence of
any ink or other pigment. As such relates to image 535 or 635, any
white in the electronic image is represented by a clear area. It
will be appreciated that depending upon the resolution of the
electronic image, the electronic format of the electronic image
(halftone, 256 colors, 64K colors, etc.), the resolution
capabilities of the printer, and nature of the inks used therewith
(translucent and/or opaque), certain areas of the image 535 or 635
will be translucent or semi-translucent.
[0103] Transparency 540 or 640 is sized, as described herein with
relation to FIGS. 5A and 6, for receipt in trough 545 and base 515
or slot 670 in frame 615. In an embodiment, transparency 540 or 640
is sized and shaped to generally duplicate the size and shape of
white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625. In an embodiment
wherein white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 is sized smaller
than a standard letter-sized (8.5.times.11 inch) letter, and
wherein standard transparencies suitable for printing are a
standard letter size, transparency 540 or 640 is cut down to
white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 size after receiving the
electronic image from the printer. It will be appreciated, as
discussed below, that image 535 or 635 is located on transparency
540 or 640 and sized so as to be viewable above the top face of
base 515 or the bottom of slot 670. It will be appreciated that the
size of the transparency may be any suitable size depending upon
the amount and size of white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625
which protrudes from base 515 or frame 615.
[0104] At block 710 an all-white image is created. The all-white
image is created to equal the shape and dimensions of the image 535
or 635. For example, if the transparency image is generally
rectangular in shape and about 4 inches high and about 5 inches
wide, the all-white image is created generally rectangular in shape
and about 4 inches high and about 5 inches wide. Similarly, if the
transparency image is generally circular with about a 5 inch
diameter, the all-white image is created generally circular in
shape with about a 5 inch diameter. Creation of the all-white image
may be achieved by any suitable computer graphics software program
known to one skilled in the art. The all-white image may be stored
in any suitable format, including as a computer-readable file. In
an embodiment, the all-white image is created with the same shape
and size as the transparency image by a computer graphics software
program and is stored in computer memory.
[0105] At block 715 the all-white image is optionally adjusted to
accommodate screen printing as described below. Optional
adjustments include any suitable graphical adjustments, including
but not limited to adjustments to the frequency, angle, size and
shape. The size and shape of the all-white channel may be adjusted
to be larger in certain dimensions than the transparency image if a
white border is desired around the resulting image. In an
embodiment, the frequency, angle, size and shape of each of the
channels is adjusted to accommodate screen printing onto glass or
acrylic of a certain shape and size to reduce or eliminate moir
patterns. The adjustments may be accomplished by any suitable
method known in the art, including by any suitable computer
graphics software program. In an embodiment, the frequency, angle,
size and shape of the all-white image is stored in computer memory
by a computer graphics software program is adjusted by the computer
graphics software program and the adjusted all white image is
further stored in computer memory by the computer graphics software
program.
[0106] At block 720 a film positive of the all-white image is
created by any suitable method known in the art. In an embodiment,
the all-white image is printed out by a computer printer at the
direction of the computer graphics software program. Printing is
either achieved directly onto film by a computer printer capable of
printing onto film or onto an intervening media, such as paper, and
then transferred to film by any suitable method known in the
art.
[0107] At block 725 a silk screen is produced from the film
positive. The silk screen may be produced from the film positive by
any suitable method known in the silk screening arts. In an
embodiment, it will be appreciated that a silk screen for the
all-white image may be produced from an electronic form of the
all-white image by use of a machine capable of producing a silk
screen from an electronic image.
[0108] At block 730 the silk screen is silk screened onto the front
or the back of white-background-bearing medium. The silk screen is
silk-screened with a mixture of clear-matt and white inks. The ink
mixture is any suitable mixture of clear-matt and white inks. In an
embodiment, the ink mixture is a textured ultra-violet, vinyl or
similar ink suitable for printing on acrylic or glass and
containing about 10% white additive (ink) and about 90% clear-matt
finish (ink).
[0109] The silk screen is silk screened onto the
white-background-bearing medium so that, when transparency 540 or
640 is in front of white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625, the
silk screen is aligned behind the image 535 or 635. If the silk
screen has been sized larger than the transparency image to create
a boarder, the silk screen is aligned so that image 535 or 635 is
generally centered within the silk screen. Any suitable form of
alignment may be used to ensure that the silk screen is properly
positioned in regard to the transparency image.
[0110] At block 735 the transparency 540 or 640 with image 535 or
635 thereon is placed in base 515 or frame 615 in front of
white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 with all-white portion
530 or 630 thereon whereby image 535 or 635 is in front of
all-white portion 530 or 630. As described herein, light
propagating through white-background-bearing medium 525 or 635
diffuses upon striking the ink of all-white portion 530 or 630.
Such diffused light will shine through clear portions of image 535
or 635 which correspond to white portions the of original image,
making such original white portions appear highlighted on the image
of a display device of the present invention. Furthermore, to the
extent colored areas of image 535 or 635 comprise translucent or
partially translucent ink, diffused light from all-white portion
530 or 630 will partially shine through such translucent or
partially translucent sections, making such sections appear
brighter than opaque sections of the transparency image and
non-silk-screened portions of white-background-bearing medium 525
or 625. Such areas, however, will not appear as bright as clear
areas, which maintains the impression to a viewer that such areas
are highlighted.
[0111] While steps 710 through 730 have been described with respect
to creation of all-white portion 530 or 630 by silk screening, it
will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that all-white
portion 530 or 630 may be created by any suitable method known in
the art for applying and/or affixing a mixture of clear-matt and
white inks as described herein to a white image-bearing medium as
described herein. For example, a mixture of clear-matt and white
inks may be applied as all-white portion 530 or 630 by painting or
lithography. In an embodiment, a mixture of clear-matt and white
inks is painted and/or lithographed onto white-background-bearing
medium 525 or 625 so as to create an appropriated sized and shaped
all-white portion 530 or 630. In still other embodiments, it will
be appreciated that all-white portion 530 or 630 may be created by
other methods as described herein, such as, for example, mechanical
methods such as sand-blasting or by a mold.
[0112] While the steps of this exemplary methodology have been
described in a particular order, it will be appreciated that
certain of the steps may be performed in any suitable order.
[0113] Illustrated in FIG. 8 is another exemplary methodology for
providing a transparency, a transparency image and a all-white
portion from an original image in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0114] At block 800 an electronic image is provided. The electronic
image may have color and/or black and white. The electronic image
may be an original image created electronically by any suitable
computer application or device, or may be an original image which
is scanned into an electronic format by any suitable scanning
device and associated scanning software. In an embodiment, the
electronic image is stored in computer memory by a graphics
software program.
[0115] At block 805 a software template for creating a transparency
(a "template") is provided. Referring to FIG. 9, template 905 is a
computer program which interacts with a computer graphics program
915 towards the purpose of electronically formatting electronic
image 900. Template 905 uses formatter 920 for formatting the size
and placement of an electronic image within the template. Graphics
program 915 uses computer 910 to run template 905 towards this
purpose.
[0116] Template 905 is a computer program which provides logic for
adjusting, editing and/or formatting the electronic image for the
purpose of suitable printing of the electronic image on a
transparency. Template 905 may be any suitable computer program
which provides such logic. In an embodiment, template 905 is an
application template. An application template is a computer program
which runs in conjunction with, and partially at the control of,
another application or computer program. For example, a mail merge
template may be provided for a word processing program (the
application). The mail merge template is called by the word
processor to perform a certain function. The mail merge template
executes at such a call and performs such certain functions for the
word processor. The mail merge template can not run separately from
the word processor. Similarly, it is well known in the art to
provide software templates for computer graphics programs. Such
application templates perform certain functions for the computer
graphics program upon call from the computer graphics program.
[0117] Referring again to FIG. 8, at block 810 a transparency is
created with the electronic image thereon. Referring additionally
to FIG. 10, in an embodiment, transparency creation by template is
described. Such a template is an application template for any
suitable computer graphics program, including but not limited to
Adobe Illustrator.RTM.. The computer graphics program is executed
and a call is made to the template. At block 1000, the electronic
image is inputted into the computer graphics program and inserted
into the template. For example with Adobe Illustrator.RTM. version
8.0, the File/Place function is selected to locate the electronic
image in storage and insert the electronic image into the template.
The Object/Arrange/Send to Back function is selected to prepare the
image within the template for further processing.
[0118] At block 1005, the electronic image in the template is
resized according to size definitions contained within the template
and the formatter. The template contains formatter which includes
logic for determining an appropriate size for an image for a
transparency of the present invention. As discussed below, the size
of the resulting transparency image is determined by the size of
the provided all-white portion of the provided
white-background-bearing medium. In an embodiment, the template
displays a pre-determined shape and size for a transparency image
which corresponds to a pre-determined shape and size of an
all-white portion of a white-background-bearing medium. Using
formatter, the template facilitates adjustment, modification and/or
editing of the electronic image so as to fit the electronic image
into pre-determined dimensions for the transparency. For example
with Adobe Illustrator.RTM. version 8.0, the inputted electronic
image is resized by dragging the boarder of the electronic image
until the shape and size of the electronic image equals or fits
into the pre-determined dimensions of the template. The electronic
image is dragged into a visual representation of such dimensions
provided by the template. The modified electronic image is saved
into computer memory by the template and the computer graphics
program.
[0119] At block 1010, the modified electronic image is outputted by
the template and computer graphics program. The modified electronic
image may be outputted to any suitable printer which is capable of
printing a transparency. A blank transparency is fed into the
printer. The printer electronically receives the modified
electronic image from the graphics computer program and the
template. The printer prints the modified electronic image on the
transparency. The resulting transparency image is located upon the
transparency as defined by the template.
[0120] Referring again to FIGS. 8, 5A and 6, at block 815
white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 with an affixed white
silk screen portion 530 or 630 is provided. White silk screen
portion 530 or 630 comprises a mixture of clear-matt and white inks
and is affixed to white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 by any
suitable means described herein. White silk screen portion 530 or
630 is located upon white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 and
sized so as to cover the area of transparency 540 or 640 which
comprises image 535 or 635. In an embodiment, white silk screen
portion 530 or 630 is sized slightly larger than image 535 or 635
to provide a highlighted boarder therearound. In an embodiment,
both the template and the white-background-bearing medium are
shaped and sized so as to be visible over the top face of base 515
or the bottom of slot 670.
[0121] At block 820 the transparency is placed in front of the
white-background-bearing medium 525 or 625 and is retained in front
of such by trough 545 and base 515 or slot 670 in frame 615.
[0122] While steps 810 through 830 have been described with respect
to creation of all-white portion 530 or 630 by silk screening, it
will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that all-white
portion 530 or 630 may be created by any suitable method known in
the art for applying and/or affixing a mixture of clear-matt and
white inks as described herein to a white image-bearing medium as
described herein. For example, a mixture of clear-matt and white
inks may be applied as all-white portion 530 or 630 by painting or
lithography. In an embodiment, a mixture of clear-matt and white
inks is painted and/or lithographed onto white-background-bearing
medium 525 or 625 so as to create an appropriated sized and shaped
all-white portion 530 or 630. In still other embodiments, it will
be appreciated that all-white portion 530 or 630 may be created by
other methods as described herein, such as, for example, mechanical
methods such as sand-blasting or by a mold.
[0123] While the steps of this exemplary methodology have been
described in a particular order, it will be appreciated that
certain of the steps may be performed in any suitable order.
[0124] Illustrated in FIG. 11 is an exemplary system for providing
highlighted display of a transparency containing an image thereon
in an illuminated display device of the present invention.
Electronic image 1100 is provided by any means described herein and
comprises an image with color and/or black and white. Using
software template 1105 using formatter 1120, provided on a
computer-readable medium, and computer 1115, computer graphics
program 1110 modifies the electronic image into a suitable format
for printing upon a transparency. Computer graphics program 1110
and computer 1115 transmit the modified electronic image to printer
1125 for printing. Using transparency 1130, printer 1125 prints the
modified electronic image on the transparency, thus creating
transparency with transparency image 1135. A
white-background-bearing medium with a white silk screen portion
affixed thereto 1145 is provided, wherein the white silk screen
portion is sized and located to be the same size and location as
the transparency image on the transparency when the transparency
and medium are biased within a display device. A display device
1140 of the present invention is provided for biasing the
transparency and medium so as to allow illuminated and highlighted
viewing of the transparency image.
[0125] In another embodiment, the present invention includes an
illuminated display device for displaying an image of a
predetermined shape and size. An image is placed on an insert of a
predetermined size (e.g., 4 inches by 6 inches) comprised of a
medium which has at least some partially transparent or translucent
areas (e.g., a transparency or photographic paper). The
image-bearing insert is retained by the display device (e.g., by a
frame) in front of an all-white portion contained upon a generally
clear background-bearing medium. The all-white portion has
generally the same shape and size as the image-bearing insert. The
generally clear medium is at least partially contained in a base
also having an illumination source. When on, the illumination
source emits light into the generally clear medium which propagates
until at least part thereof is diffused by the all-white portion
into the image-bearing insert, creating the appearance of
highlighting to a viewer. In further embodiments, the frame is
elevated from the base, giving the display device the appearance of
a clear boarder around the frame. In still further embodiments, a
reflective background is included to increase the amount of light
reflecting into the image-bearing insert.
[0126] With reference to FIGS. 12A through D, illustrated is a
display device of the present invention having a base 1215 with an
illumination source therein (not shown). Generally clear
white-background-bearing medium 1225 is partially contained in base
1215. All-white portion 1230 is positioned on
white-background-bearing medium 1225 and surrounded by frame 1250.
Frame 1250 is shaped and sized to accept image-bearing insert 1240
having image 1235 thereon and all-white portion 1230 has generally
the same shape and size as the image. Image-bearing insert 1240 is
slidably removable from frame 1250, and may be replaced by other
image-bearing inserts of the same shape and size carrying different
images.
[0127] Base 1215 is generally opaque and may optionally have the
same and/or similar properties as described for a base in other
embodiments described herein, and may further optionally abut the
top or either of the sides of the display device. In an embodiment,
base 1215 has a width 1216 which is less than the width 1226 of
medium 1225 and may further be centered therein. In still another
embodiment, base 1215 has a width approximately equal to (not
shown) or slightly greater than the width 1231 of the all-white
portion 1230. Base 1215 is optionally centered and aligned with
all-white portion 1230 in order to maximize the amount of light
flowing from the illumination source in the base up into the medium
1225 for diffusion into all-white portion 1230.
[0128] Generally clear white-background-bearing medium 1225
optionally has the same and/or similar properties as described for
a background-bearing medium in other embodiments described herein.
All-white portion 1230 is affixed on the front face and/or the back
face of generally clear medium 1225. All-white portion 1230
optionally has the same and/or similar properties as described for
an all-white portion in other embodiments herein. For example,
all-white portion 1230 is optionally an ink mixture of a clear-matt
finish and a white additive (e.g., in a ratio of about 90%
clear-matt to about 10% white additive) and is optionally textured
to improve light diffusion. In embodiments wherein all-white
portion 1230 is applied to the generally clear medium 1225 (i.e.,
such as with painting or silk-screening of paints and/or inks),
all-white portion 1230 is generally applied evenly throughout the
area of all-white portion 1230 so that there are no significantly
differing areas of coverage, which could potentially lead to
inequities in illuminating image 1235. In an embodiment of the
present invention, all-white portion 1230 need not be solid white.
In such an embodiment, all-white portion 1230 is generally white
wherein the overall appearance of the portion is white from a
suitable distance or perspective of an ordinary viewer of a device
of the present invention. For example, all-white portion 1230 may
be comprised of a series of dots, lines or components (either
uniformly or not uniformly spaced) having clear or otherwise
colored spaces there between, but which, upon viewing from the
perspective of an ordinary viewer of the device, appear to be
all-white (e.g., in a silk-screen wherein each cell contains
greater than 90% clear space with 10% filled, resulting in a 90%
fill of the all-white portion). Similarly, it will be understood
that a portion is "all-white" even if there are inequities in the
dispersion of white, so long as the overall appearance of the
portion from the perspective of an ordinary viewer is white. In
still other embodiments, it will be appreciated that all-white
portion 1230 may be created by other methods as described herein,
such as, for example, mechanical methods such as sand-blasting or
by a mold.
[0129] All-white portion 1230 is shaped and sized generally
similarly to the shape and size of image 1235 on image-bearing
insert 1240. In embodiments of the present invention wherein the
display device is designed to illuminate an image of a fixed shape
and size, all-white portion 1230 has the shape and the size of the
image. It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the
all-white portion 1230 may vary compared to the shape and the size
of the image depending upon the desire of the user. While it will
be appreciated that any suitable shape and size of image may be
used (and consequently any suitable shape and size of all-white
portion 1230), for the remaining exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, an image having a height of 4 inches and a width
of 6 inches will be described. This exemplary image does not have a
boarder (not shown) on image-bearing insert 1240, which also has an
exemplary height of 4 inches and a width of 6 inches. In this
exemplary embodiment, all-white portion 1230 also has a height of 4
inches and a width of 6 inches. It will be appreciated that a
display device of this exemplary embodiment is suitable for
displaying any 4.times.6 inch image, which is a standard size for
photographic prints.
[0130] All-white portion 1230 is optionally positioned on generally
clear medium 1225 elevated from the top of base 1215. In this
example, the bottom of the all-white portion 1230 is separated from
the top of base 1215 by a portion 1260 of the generally clear
medium 1225, thus giving the display device the appearance of
having a clear boarder around the image 1235 (and, as discussed
below, the frame 1250).
[0131] The image-bearing insert 1240 is retained against the
generally clear medium 1225 and positioned over the all-white
portion 1230 thereof by any suitable mechanism, including by
retention means disclosed herein, including but not limited to
magnets, clips, static electricity, screws, rubber bands and
adhesive. In an embodiment, image-bearing insert 1240 is retained
against generally clear medium 1225 and positioned relative to
all-white portion 1230 by frame 1250. Frame 1250 is any suitable
frame for removably maintaining insert 1240 proximate all-white
portion 1230. Frame 1250 optionally has one or more slots or
grooves for slidably receiving insert 1240. Still further
optionally, frame 1250 defines a slot for insert 1240 in
conjunction with medium 1225. In this example, frame 1250 has at
least a base 1252 for resting the bottom of the insert upon and a
partial front face 1253 for keeping the insert from falling
forward. Further in this example, medium 1250 acts as the back of
the slot. Frame 1250 further optionally has side extension for
inhibiting lateral movement of insert 1240 while in the frame 1250.
While embodiments of frame 1250 herein have been described with
reference to an insert 1240 being slidably removable there from, it
will be appreciated that any suitable frame may be used, including
a frame which swings open to accept and insert and then snaps shut
to retain same. Frame 1250 optionally includes a clear front, such
as, for example, a plastic or glass front.
[0132] Frame 1250 is optionally opaque for shielding from user's
vision the mechanism used to retain the frame 1250 to the medium
1225 (as described further below). Frame 1250 is shaped and size to
receive insert 1240. For example, for a 4.times.6 inch insert,
frame 1250 may have an exterior edge shape and size of slightly
greater than 4.times.6 inches (e.g., 4.2.times.6.2 inches) to
facilitate an inner edge shape and size of about 4.times.6
inches.
[0133] Frame 1250 is affixed to medium 1225 by any suitable
mechanism, including but not limited to clips, static electricity,
screws, rubber bands and adhesive. In an embodiment, frame 1250 is
affixed to medium 1225 by one (not shown) or more magnets 1270. In
this exemplary embodiment, frame 1250 comprises any suitably
magnetically-attractable material, such as a magnetically
attractable metal. One or more magnets 1270 are embedded in medium
1250 by any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to
adhesive, friction or mechanical devices such as screws, clips,
etc., which protrude from the front face of medium 1225 to
facilitate physical contact to frame 1225. Upon contacting the
magnets 1270, magnetically-attracted frame 1250 is magnetically
affixed to the medium 1225 (via the magnets 1270). Any suitable
number of magnets may be used.
[0134] With reference to FIG. 13, in still another embodiment, a
display device of the present invention further includes a
reflective backing 1310. Reflective backing 1310 comprises any
material suitable for reflecting light which attempts to propagate
out at reflective backing 1310's position back into medium 1225 for
diffusion through all-white portion 1230. Exemplary materials
include, but are not limited to, high-gloss white plastic and
high-gloss white metal, vinyl, a mirror and any suitable polished
and/or metallic surface. Reflective backing 1310 optionally has the
same general shape and size as all-white portion 1230. In exemplary
embodiments wherein the image is 4.times.6 inches, reflective
backing 1310 is optionally shaped and sized equal to or slightly
larger than the all-white portion 1230, in this case about 4.2
inches by 6.2 inches. It will be appreciated that any shape and
size of reflective backing 1230 smaller than the shape and size of
medium 1225 may be used.
[0135] Reflective backing 1310 is optionally positioned behind the
rear face of medium 1225, and further optionally positioned behind
and aligned with all-white portion 1230. As previously noted, light
propagates through medium 1225. A percentage of this light attempts
to escape medium 1225 via the back face of medium 1225. With
reflective backing 1230 positioned over the back face of medium
1225, a percentage of this light attempting to escape is reflected
back into medium 1225. Some of the reflected light is reflected
towards the all-white portion 1230, which subsequently diffuses the
light. In embodiments wherein reflective backing 1310 is similarly
sized (or slightly greater sized) to all-white portion 1230,
reflected light will generally be reflected into all-white portion
1230, and not into the eyes of a viewer (which may occur if the
reflective backing is of a greater size than the all-white portion
and/or the frame).
[0136] Reflective backing 1310 is optionally affixed to medium 1225
by any suitable mechanism, including but not limited to mechanisms
described herein for affixing the frame to the medium. In an
embodiment, reflective backing 1310 abuts, or otherwise is placed
next to, medium 1225, so that a minimal or no gap exists between
the two. In another embodiment, reflective backing 1310 is affixed
to medium 1225 while maintaining a gap 1280 (with reference to FIG.
12B) therebetween. Gap 1280 is any suitable distance, and may
generally be between no gap (abutting) and about one inch, even
though even greater gaps are possible. Maintenance of such a gap
improves illumination of the all-white portion 1230. Gap 1280 is
maintained by any suitable means while keeping reflecting back 1230
affixed to medium 1225. Maintaining reflective back 1230 in contact
with medium 1225 without being affixed thereto further improves
illumination of all-white portion 1230.
[0137] With reference again to FIG. 13, in an embodiment,
reflective backing 1310 has a plurality of magnets 1270 affixed
thereto by any suitable mechanism. Magnets 1270 protrude from
reflective backing 1310 through apertures in medium 1225 (not
shown) and extend to contact frame 1270. In this embodiment, the
frame 1250, the medium 1225 and the reflective backing 1310 are
positionally maintained; the frame by magnetic attraction to the
magnets, the reflective backing by affixation to the magnets, and
the medium 1225 by being sandwiched there between.
[0138] With continued reference to FIG. 13, in yet another
embodiment, a medium 1225 of a display device of the present
invention has a carve-out 1320 and an all-white portion insert 1330
positioned therein. Carve-out 1320 may be any suitable shape and
size. Carve-out 1320 has generally the same shape and size as
all-white portion 1320, and is generally adapted to receive an
all-white portion insert which acts as an all-white portion 1230.
All-white portion insert 1330 is shaped and sized to fit into
carve-out 1320. Generally, all-white portion insert 1330 has the
same general shape and size as an all-white portion 1230 and acts
to take the place thereof. All-white portion insert 1330 comprises
the same and/or similar material as described herein for medium
1225, including but not limited to clear acrylic, glass, plastic
and PLEXIGLAS ELIT.TM. material. All-white portion insert 1330 is,
on a front face and/or a back face thereof, all-white as described
herein for an all-white portion of the present invention, including
but not limited to having an evenly distributed layer of a mixture
of clear matt ink(s) and white additive(s) thereon. All-white
portion insert 1330 has any suitable thickness; in an embodiment,
all-white portion insert 1330 has generally the same thickness as
medium 1225. In this exemplary embodiment, the all-white portion
insert 1330 need not be made of the same material as the medium
1225. A more expensive material, such as PLEXIGLAS ELIT.TM., may be
used for the all-white portion insert 1330, while a less expensive
material may be used for the remainder of medium 1225.
[0139] The exterior edges of the all-white portion insert 1330
and/or the edges of the carve-out 1320 are optionally polished
and/or otherwise machined and/or manipulated to increase their
reflective and/or refractive value. As light propagating through
medium 1225 strikes any or all of these edges, a portion of such
light is directed towards the all-white face of the all-white
portion insert, thus increasing diffused illumination from the
all-white face.
[0140] All-white portion insert 1330 may further have a plurality
of notches 1335 for retaining a portion of any mechanism used to
affix the frame and/or the reflective backing to medium 1225. In an
embodiment, each of a plurality of magnets 1270 affixed to
reflective backing 1310 extend through notches 1335 to contact
frame 1250.
[0141] While embodiments of this invention have been described in
relation to creating one image for viewing upon a display device,
it will be appreciated that a plurality of images may be provided
for viewing upon a display device using embodiment of the invention
as described herein.
[0142] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have
been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of
the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and
modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art.
Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to
the specific details, the representative systems, and illustrative
examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made
from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the
applicant's inventive concept.
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